When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. OurPrivacy Noticeexplains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Read More

Related Articles

As of 9am this morning (February 29) a total of 10,483 people have been tested in the UK, of which 10,460 were confirmed negative and 23 positive.

Experts have said that in order to prevent the virus spreading extensively tracing the origins of the latest UK case of coronavirus is "crucial".

It was also confirmed that there was a case which tested positive in Hertfordshire, after three further cases were announced.

Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Social Care and Health: “Across the UK, there have been 10,843 concluded tests of which 10,460 were confirmed negative, and 23 positive. As of 9am this morning, three further patients in England have tested positive for COVID-10. Two patients recently returned from Italy and the other patient recently returned from Asia. All three are being investigated and contact tracing has begun. One case is from Gloucestershire, one from Hertfordshire and one from Berkshire.”

"It's easily transmitted from person to person"

Paramedics work in a tent that was set up outside the hospital of Cremona, northern Italy (Image: Claudio Furlan/Lapresse via AP)

Jonathan Ball, professor of molecular virology at the University of Nottingham, said UK transmission was "always a real possibility".

He said: "This case - a person testing positive for novel coronavirus with no known link to an affected area or known case - marks a new chapter for the UK and it will be crucial to understand where the infection came from to try to prevent more extensive spread.

"This was always a concern - this is a virus that frequently causes symptoms very similar to mild flu or a common cold, and it's easily transmitted from person to person.

"This means it can easily go under the radar."

Dr Stephen Griffin, associate professor at the University of Leeds, said it had been "only a matter of time" before the first person-to-person transmission in the UK was confirmed.